Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-08-17
Tales aud Sketthes.
By TIE WAVES.

Muriel."
And. indeed, Muriel DOYLE was little
like her sweet, ethereal name. A strong.
1.-THE, healthy, fsherman's daughter. with
brown eyes, brown hair, brown che eks,
brown hand hapds that could WELD an
oar or trim a sail as well as her fathers
own. A verltable child of nature, wild
and free as the place she loved so well ;
and vet, not ignorant and uncultured.
Muriel Doyle was well versed in the lore
Of books, and nature had given to her the
ease and grace and dignity that others get
by culture.
.'My sea bird!' her father called her,
and the name was like the wild, glad.
Young thing. When they could not find
Der in the house, they always sought her
BY the sea, and they always found her,
strollipg idly down the beach, or sitting
among the rocks and watching the waves
with dreamy eyes, or chasing the surges
like Il child. She was child in guileless
innocence and freedom from art; but in
maturity of brain and heart she was
woman OF 10.
Half mile from the cottage of the
Doyles, a grand hotel was being built;
another season would see their quiet home
turned into seaside resort, aud Muriel
was not pleased at the thought OF the
coming change. She loved her wild rocks
and lonely beach as they were, and she
did not want to see them changed to
fashionable promenades. But Mnriels
dissatisfaction could not change the as
pect of affairs; she knew that the fash
ionables were surely coming.
She was thinking, rather sorrowfully,
and perhaps little unamiably, of that.
as she wandered down to The sands one
day, thinking how she was soon to be
driven from her favorte haunts. and
bright fame came into her eyes and
cheeks. and she stamped her foot upon the
sand. exclaiming aloud:
They shall not drive me away! | will
not exile myself from the sea because
they come n' And then she stopped sud
denly and caught her breath; for, turn
ing around point of jagged rocks, Mu-
riel was upon the vanguard of the invad
ers.
Two Young men-one of them com
monplace, handsomish young fellow, who
sat upon stone and held a portfolio upon
his knee-a sketcher. The other stood
leaning against rock beside him, and
looking indifferently uson the half finished
sketch upon his companions knee. A
tall. grave man of 27, perhaps, with
magnificent head from which he had re
moved his hat; dark. half curling short
hair; eyes blue, and dark and splendid;
face that was perfect in beauty, and, a
commanding, stately figure, half covered
by a loose cloak flung over the shoulder;
a very handsome man. but grave to sad
ness man who had suffered. and moi
lightly.
Muriel hesitated for moment whether
to 90 back or pass them; then proud
impulse babe her 60 on. Both looked up
as her light step crossed the sands and
both bowed when she slightly glanced
them They were gentlemen. She in
clued her head little as she passed.
The next moment she heard tfie young
err of the two whisper:
What striking face! Wonder If Shit
would let me sketch herp"
Hush she will hear you," warned the
other; and Muriel. turning, saw the half
contemptuous curl of his lip.
II have heard" she said. quietly. com
ing back. You may sketch my face il
you choose"
MAY /? A thousand thanks"
None at all, If you please" returned
Murie. composedly seating herself and
drawing her hawl about her. 81 am
curious to see picture of myself. Shall
take off my hat P'
AT YOU will be so good" and Murie'
lifted The broad hat from her sunny brown
curls. and quietly proceeded to sit for her
portrait.
The Young man sketched busily away,
making no effort to conceal his admiration
of his subject" an admiration to which
Muriel was quite Indifferent. Meanwhile
the second gentleman stood silently
studying the face that his comprnon
sketched.
It was well worth studying no ordinary
face, though not wonderfully beauti
full The brown eyes, and graceful
features. and smiling, red lips were pretty
and attractive, but there was certain
power and attraction in Muriel's face
which it did not owe to its prettiness.
which would have been there still, had
she grown PLAIN. e. sxG44; 7T,S 7Te
IT was an expression not easily trans
ferred to paper. and the tall gentleman
locked somewhat contemptuously upon
the finished sketch when it was handed to
him for Judgment, then he remarked:
The lady is better Judge" and passed
it to Muriel.
She glanced at it, shook her head and
smiled, and returned it to the sketcher.
He colored little as he asked.
"Well. do you like it Is it good p''
at will do; but could make better, "
said Muriel briefly.
"Do you sketch ?" he asked wondering
w; and he did not think she saw or under
stood his glance at her dress and from
that to the cottage, which he guessed was
her home. But she did and smiled slight
ly as she answered.
"Sometimes."
Twill vou-" he hesitated, then offered
her his portfolio, Twill you show me a
specimen"
Your face ?" queried Muriel, as she
quietly received the materials.
He assented and bending over the paper
she shortly returned to him an outline
sketch of his face not finished sketch at
all. but so like that it was wonderful He
looked from the picture to her, then
laughed and said:
Upon my word, shall take care how
I display my amateur attempts again. lest
flourish them in the face of genius p
Muriel smiled carelessly, and. rising
from her rickety seat. was about to 60,